Pantsula Dancers

Alexia Webster/TwentyTen

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Pantsula was birthed in the townships of South Africa in the 1950’s. Originally referring to a style of dress, it soon evolved into a cultural expression and later into a dance form. By the 1980’s, when the townships were aflame and war had broken out between the Apartheid police and the young men in the area, Pantsula dance was a means of expression for many.

The culture of Pantsula was commonly associated with ‘tsotsis’ (gangsters) in the sixties and seventies, but has recently become a means of employment for many young men who have otherwise had little support.

Orange Farm, a township on the outskirts of Johannesburg, is home to the Pantsula dance crew, Real Action. The crew have become local celebrities in their neighbourhood after appearing in TV commercials, music videos and road shows. On Sunday afternoons the group do an impromptu show on the street in their neighbourhood. Often flagged by a troop of excited children, Real Action never fail to entertain. With a massive unemployment rate among the youth of South Africa, it is very significant that these young men manage to eke a living from dancing. Not only do they support themselves, they have also become role models to young boys growing up in the same neighbourhood. Sibusiso Mthembu, a member of Real Action, says that Pantsula has taught him discipline that has enabled him to stay away from drugs, alcohol and crime.

Bhanzele Masango from the...

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<p>Sibusiso Mthembu, 21, lays his Pantsula dance costume out on his bed at his home in Orange Farm, Johannesburg. Sibusiso is part of the dance crew, Real Action, who make a modest living from television commercials and road shows.&nbsp;</p>(Credit: Alexia Webster/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)

<p>Pantsula dancer, 21-year-old Sibusiso Mthembu, puts on the white gloves that form part of his dancing attire at his home in Orange Farm, Johannesburg. He is part of the dance crew, Real Action, who make a modest living from television commercials and road shows.</p>(Credit: Alexia Webster/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)

<p>Pantsula dancer Samson Nondzabe, 18, in his small corrugated iron room in Orange farm, a township on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Samson is part of a group of dancers called Real Action who make a modest living from television commercials and road shows.</p>(Credit: Alexia Webster/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)

<p>Pantsula dancer Samson Nondzabe, 18, (left) stands in his small corrugated iron room with Sibusiso Mthembu, 21, as they get ready for a performance. Both young men are part of the Real Action dance crew in Orange farm, a township on the outskirts of Johannesburg.</p>(Credit: Alexia Webster/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)

<p>Pantsula dancer Samson Nondzabe, 18, leaves his small corrugated iron room in Orange Farm, a township on the outskirts of Johannesburg. Samson is part of Real Action dance troupe who make a modest living from television commercials and road shows.&nbsp;</p>(Credit: Alexia Webster/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)

<p>Sibusiso Mthembu, 21, dances on the main road near his home in Orange Farm, a township on the outskirts of Johannesburg. He is part of the dance crew, Real Action, who make a modest living from television commercials and road shows.</p>(Credit: Alexia Webster/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)

Two woman walk past Pantsula dancers Samson Nondzabe, 18, left, and Silindile Sithela, 18, on their way home from church. The two men had just finished a street routine in their neighborhood in Orange Farm. They are part of the dance crew, Real Action, who make a modest living from television commercials and road shows.(Credit: Alexia Webster/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)

Pantsula dancers Pele Gae, 27, and Silindile Sithela, 18, do a backflip off the wall of a neighbour's house in Orange Farm, Johannesburg. They are part of the dance crew, Real Action, who make a modest living from television commercials and road trips. Johannesburg, South Africa(Credit: Alexia Webster/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)

<p>Three dancers from the dance crew, Real Action, walk through the streets of Orange farm, a township on the outskirts of Johannesburg. The crew have become celebrities after appearing in TV commercials and road shows.</p>(Credit: Alexia Webster/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)

<p>Pantsula dancer Bhanzele Masango, 25, checks his reflection in the mirror before leaving his home in the township of Tembisa in Johannesburg.</p>(Credit: Alexia Webster/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)

<p>Bhanzele Masango, 25, kills time on a street corner near his house. Bhanzele is a Pantsula dancer in the township of Tembisa in Johannesburg.</p>(Credit: Alexia Webster/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)

<p>Pantsula dancers Moses Moeng, 22, and Abela Vilakhazi, 23, from the group Tembisa Revolution, perform a routine on a dusty soccer field in the township of Tembisa in Johannesburg.</p>(Credit: Alexia Webster/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)

<p>Leader of the dance group, Tembisa Revolution, Sandile Magaula watches Bhanzele Masango dancing alone while he changes into his constume on a dusty soccer field in the township of Tembisa in Johannesburg.</p>(Credit: Alexia Webster/Twenty Ten/Africa Media Online)